La Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Santander: un primer esfuerzo por incorporar la educación técnica en la región, 1887-1937

The Santander School of Arts and Crafts was created in 1888 with the goal of providing a specialized workforce to carry out the production processes in the department. Although the school’s contribution to the promotion of technical education and to industrial development is important, there are very few historiographical works about its evolution and impact. As such, this paper addresses the historical development of the institution. By applying the historical research method based on a systematic consultation of primary sources and an objective analysis of the information, we determined the material and educational conditions that led to the establishment of the Santander School of Arts and Crafts and identified the operating dynamics with the social, political and productive context of the Department of Santander. We also identify aspects related to the curricula, the educational offer, the pedagogical methods and practices, and their funding sources in their different stages of existence. The foundation of this institute is the first step to study the true social background of this educational proposal